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CptMorgan
04-21-2026, 10:41 AM
I've seized the bearings on two power steering pumps now. One on the street and one on the track.

The pumps are not taking the heat or RPMs. The lid doesn't seal well either, causing fluid to slosh onto the headers.

My engine builder supplied a chrome, no-name pump. He's struggling to find something better.

Any recommendation?



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Jeff Kleiner
04-21-2026, 11:34 AM
That's a GM Saginaw pump. I ran my Mk3 on track and tons of autocross using a Ford Fox Mustang pump. I found that the fluid was superheating at the sustained higher RPMs and brought it under control with a small cooler.

Jeff

Wizbangdoodle
04-21-2026, 11:49 AM
Gordon Levy built my engine and for what it's worth, this is what he put on for a power steering pump.

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I don't track my car and I have just finished it, so it has very few miles. Don't know if it's a solution or not.

steno
04-21-2026, 12:22 PM
What Jeff said...add a cooler and try Honda fluid.

Dave Howard
04-21-2026, 12:26 PM
I have a new in the box power steering pump/tank bought from Factory Five as part of my 30th Anniversary MkV build that I am not using. Its from KRC and the kit number is 66302125. Located in North Bay, Ontario.

CptMorgan
04-21-2026, 02:54 PM
I have a new in the box power steering pump/tank bought from Factory Five as part of my 30th Anniversary MkV build that I am not using. Its from KRC and the kit number is 66302125. Located in North Bay, Ontario.

Thanks Dave. I don't think the KRC will fit on my Windsor motor.

CptMorgan
04-21-2026, 03:00 PM
I've ordered a cooler. I expect the cooler with the added fluid capacity will help.
I still need to replace the burned-out pump on the car.

CptMorgan
04-21-2026, 03:10 PM
GM Saginaw pump, Eh? That helps. I wonder if there is a heavy-duty version.

rich grsc
04-21-2026, 03:12 PM
Some no-name setup?? The pump pulley looks too small, turns the pump too fast.

StangRacer
04-21-2026, 04:37 PM
The Fox Mustang pump will work fine... the only issue with those pumps is they tend to be noisy. You may find one and use the cheapest fluid you can find and it will be quiet as a church mouse. Or you can buy the most expensive pump you can find with the suggested Honda fluid, synthetic fluid, etc... and it will scream like a banshee. I have never been able to find any rhyme or reason why some are loud and some aren't, but I have never really cared enough to try to search out the answer.

Definitely follow Jeff's advice and put a cooler on there... If you go with a Fox Mustang pump another thing you can do is pick up a power steering pulley off of a 94-98 V6 Mustang. The V6 Mustang pulley is larger and will slow the pump down.

There was another Ford vehicle from the 80's that had an extension for the neck of the Fox power steering pump. I know many guys that would track their Mustangs would search them out for the added fluid capacity... I have also seen some that will use what looked like a fuel filler hose and attach it to the neck with a hose clamp and use another hose clamp to secure the cap.

CDXXVII
04-21-2026, 09:52 PM
I am using this pump. I believe its on the same style mount as yours. It is a Saginaw but its setup for the Mustang rack which requires lower pressure.

www.summitracing.com/parts/tff-6174b?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwJzPBhBREiwAJfHRnYPgwPReADqhhxshf_Ke gbtY0MfQeYg43FeYtjLg5HAic-9n1kJ9vRoCBnYQAvD_BwE


GM Saginaw pump, Eh? That helps. I wonder if there is a heavy-duty version.

CW_MI
04-22-2026, 07:19 AM
You can take a look at Jones Racing, they make a nice pump made for sustained RPM's.

rich grsc
04-22-2026, 08:32 AM
Breeze sells the perfect pump set-up.

CptMorgan
04-22-2026, 09:55 AM
I am using this pump. I believe its on the same style mount as yours. It is a Saginaw but its setup for the Mustang rack which requires lower pressure.

www.summitracing.com/parts/tff-6174b?seid=srese1&gclid=CjwKCAjwwJzPBhBREiwAJfHRnYPgwPReADqhhxshf_Ke gbtY0MfQeYg43FeYtjLg5HAic-9n1kJ9vRoCBnYQAvD_BwE

I just ordered that exact same unit from Summit. We'll see how it goes with a power steering cooler.

Avalanche325
04-22-2026, 10:46 AM
I have a Ford pump that has survived many years of autocross and track days with no cooler. I did extend the filler neck with marine fuel filler ridged hose to prevent sloshing on the track.

I agree that the pulley looks a little small, so you're spinning it up.

Jeff Kleiner
04-22-2026, 11:49 AM
The Challenge series racers used to put a big ol' pulley about the size of a pie pan on their Ford pumps.

Jeff